Electrical switch



All@ 4, 1931. w. L. BUTLER E1- AL 1,817,234

ELECTRICAL SWITCH Filed NOV. 4, 1927 gwuentow Patented Aug. 4; 1931 f UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM L. BUTLER, WIILlAM H. FABREY AND JOHN WEBER, OF SCHENEGTADY,

NEW YORK, ASSIGNORS TO' WEBER ELECTRIC COMPANY, OF SGHENECTADY, NEW

'YOR-K, .A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK ELECTRICAL SWITCH This invention relates to electrical switches, and fmore particularly to the type generally known as snapy switches.

An important object of the invention 1s to provide a switch of the above character in which the parts thereof are constructed in a manner to reduce the costv of manufacture and assembly, and yet result in a switch which is highly eiiicient in use, canv be readily dismantled for repairs 1f necessary. i t

-Another important object is to yprovide a construction for floating the movable contact blade of the switch and for limiting its lateral movements, whereby it willV` at all timesproperly engage with the cooperatlng stationary contacts to ^form a sure and positive electrical connection.

Another object of the invention is to provide an insulating block or base provlded with seats directly in the walls thereof for mounting an oscillatory actuator of a switch blade, the block also being equipped with walls constituting spaced abutments for limiting the throw of the oscillatory actuator.

A -furtl'ler object of the invention resides in the provision ofA an insulator block or base having grooves for the reception of the depending portions of a bridge piece which carries part of a toggle mechanism, said grooves facilitating assembly of the switch and insuring proper positioning of the component parts of the switch mechanism; as well as serving to rigidify the connection of the bridge piece with the insulator base, while other grooves serve to conne a part o f the switch mechanism in its proper plane y of actuation.

Other objects and advantages of the, invention will becomeapparent during the course of the following description.

In the drawings forming part of the application, and wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the several views:

f Figure 1 is a top planof our improved switch.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section through the same, looking at one side thereof.

durable and` A.Applieaaon mea November 4, 1927. semi No. 231,059.

Figure 3 is a similar View, looking toward the opposite side.

AFigure 4 ,is a transverse section of the same at substantially the ymedial portion thereof.

Figure 5 is a top plan of the insulator base, and

Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the switch blade and oscillatory actuator element.

`Referring now more particularly to the drawings, wherein one example of the 'switch is illustrated, the numeral 7 designates a base or support of insulating material, preferably porcelain. A very detailed description of this base is essential for an appreciation of its cooperation both in the assembly and operation phases of the invention, and, consequently, such description is given. This base is provided with a T-shaped recess 8 for the Vreception of an actuating mechanism and switch blade to be presently described, and its cross arm is formed by a relatively narrow recess or chamber 9 extending longitudinally of the block for the reception of the switch blade,

it being noted that the opposed walls 10 of the narrow recess 9 are arranged in rather close rproximity for a purpose which will become apparent during the course of the following description.

The outer surface 11 of the block or support 7 beyond opposite ends of the narrow recess 9 is provided with recesses 12 and 13 for the reception of stationary contacts 14 and 15, having the usual screw binding posts, and are secured in said recess by means of screws 16 extending through the block from the back thereof, as shown.` The stationary contact 14' is provided with a depending extension 17 which projects down into one end of the narrow recess 9 to terminate in a contact portion 18 arranged at the bottom of the recess and extending lon; gitudinally thereof, best shown in Figure 3. The other stationary contact is provided with an angularly disposed contact portionV 19 which projects longitudinally into the other end of the narrow recess 9 at the top thereof.

' will be more full described. hereinafter.l

The interior-surfaces of opposite-walls of the recess 8 areeach equipped with an inwardly extending groove or slot hav: ing a V-,shaped bottom or inner end 21.

These opposed wal s .ofthe recess 8 areralso provided with recesses 24 which have relatively narrow slots or grooves 25 arranged in alignment. longitudinally of the block for guiding a part of the \actuating`mechanism 20 andrestraining its lateral play; A pair of apertures 26 extend through the insulating block 7 from its back to its outer face, and are arranged in longitudinal alignment with the slots 25. The ends of these apertures lat the back of the block are countersunk as at Q27 to receive the heads of screws 28, the purpose of which will be `|--presentlyv described. The outer face 11 of the block is also provided on opposite sides of the slots 25 with a pair of spaced parallel grooves 29 extending longitudinally thereof.

The actuating mechanism for the switch consists in part of an oscillatory switch blade actuator 30 assuming the form of a flat U-shaped piece of material, having its bridge ortion provided with a projection :31. Thisr U-shaped piece may be stamped from sheet metal, or if desired, from sheet insulating materials. The two legs of the element 30 are provided vwith lateralextensions 32 and 33 adapted to have their'lower edges rest upon the V-shaped portions of the slots 20 in the opposite walls of 'the block 7. It will be noted that the lateral extension 32 is longer than its brother 33, so that it will extend transversely through the narrow recess 9 of the block.4 An advantage accrues to the construction of this element 30 out of sheet material, in that its edges are utilized vto/form thin edged sup` ports to minimize frictional resistance to its free oscillatory movement.

On the lateral extension 32 of thev oscillatory element 30 is floated a movable contact or switchblade 34 by mounting it upon a non-circular insulator block 35 provided with an elongated narrow opening 36 eX- tending through opposite faces thereof and having a""metallic U-shaped bushing 37 through which the flat lateral extension is adapted to extend. The` fit between the bushing 37 and the lateral extension 32 is such as to permit the insulator \block 35 to have slight lateral Vmovement upon the extension 32. From Fig. 1 it will be noted that the insulator block 35 is slightly narrower than the width of the recess 9, and it will be seen that lateral movement of.; this .b1ockbetween certain limits is restrained by the block 35 engaging the inner wall of the recess 9 at one side and a depending leg of the oscillatory element 30 at its opposite side.

This insulator block' 35 obviously insulates the switch blade 34 from the actuating mechanism. It will, of course, be understood that the .insulator block 35 may bel Idispensed with entirely, or non-insulating material employed if the oscillatory ,element 30 Ais formed of insulating material as pointed out before. f

The switch blade 34' in the present instance is composed ofa folded copper blank giving the blade double thickness so that each ofthe arms 38 of thelblade may be eco- 4Xnomically composed of a pair of spring strips, the free ends of each being equipped with laterally extended tabs 39 to provide opposite edges of each arm two pairs Iof outwardly diverging wings 40 to facilitate the switch blade sliding overv and gripping the stationary contacts 18 and 19; ATlie medial portion of the switch blade 38 with 3 4 is enlarged and is provided with a nonclrcular` opening 4l slightly larger than and conforming to the configuration of the eX- ternalv surface of the insulating' block 35,

so that it may be easily slipped upon this block and have a slight amount -of lateral play thereon. If theoscillatory `element 30 is' constructed from, insulatin material as suggested previously, the opening 41 in the v switch blade is made to conform to the crosssection of the extension 32 so as to have a floating connection therewith.

With the foregoing construction, it will be seen that the 'switch blade is floated upon the extension 32 within the recess 9 and has considerable lateral movement on this extension,

such movement being' limited by the switch blade contacting with opposed walls 10' of the recess adjacent its ends. Such construction renders the switch blade self-aligning with the stationary contacts 18 and`19 thereby eliminating assembly precautios in setting the parts in exact alignment forproper engagement of the movablev switch blade with its stationary contacts.

In assembling .the oscillatory U-shaped member 30 with the associated insulatlng block 35 and switch blade on its lateral extension 32, is simply dropped into the Tshaped recess 8 of the base 7, so that the 'lateral extensions 32 and 33 seat on the V-shaped bottoms of the slots 20 in the base, with the switch blade and insulator block disposed in the\relatively Inarrow recess 9.`

The oscillatory movement of the element 30 is limited by the bridge portion thereof en /gaging the opposed 'walls 23 ofthe recess 8,

and itwill be noted that this bridge portion does not contact with the bottom ot the recess 8; the sole support of the oscillatory element 30 being obtained by the extensions or trunnioiis 32 and 33 resting directly upon the bottoms of the grooves 2O formed directly in opposed walls of the insulator support 7. v

This U-sliaped `element 3() is oscillated by the action of a compression spring 42 and a rocker lever 43, one end of the spring receiving the extension 3l and seating on the bridge portion of the U-shaped element 30, while the other end of the spring 42 is threaded through an eye in a depending portion 44 of the lever 43.

This lever 43 is ulcrumed on the pin 45k which is extended through aligned openings in spaced parallel depending flanges 46 bent from the intermediate portion of a bridge piece 47 provided with a central opening 48 for the projection therethrough of an extension-49 of the lever 43. This extension 49 forms the actuating handle and is preferably constructed of insulating material and has the lever 43 embedded therein or secured thereto in any suitable manner. From Fig. 2, it will be observed that the operating lever 43 is provided at both sides of its fulcrum with extensions 50l projecting beyond opposite ends of the face oit the handle 49 for abutment with the under side of the bridge piece 47 at opposite ends of the opening 48 therein to limit the oscillation of the lever.

Rapid assembly of the switch can be performed by simply dropping the element 30 and associated switch blade into its bearings as stated before. l

|Then the bridge' piece 47 vwith its associated lever 43 is placed upon the block 7 with its flanges 46 in the grooves 29 which will align the spring 42 with the extension 31 of the element 30 so that pressure upon the bridge piece will seat the spring upon the extension 3l and tension the spring 42,be tween the lever 43 and the oscillatory element 30. Screws 28 are then passed through the base 7 and turned into threaded apertures 5l in the bridge 'piece so as to complete the assembly of the switch. "Vith the v parts thus quickly assembled with a minimum number of operations and screws, it will be noted that the lateral extensions 50 of the operating lever 43 will operate in the aligned slots 25 of the base, and will thereby Abe limited in its lateral play.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that the compression spring will be compressed by throwing the handle 49 to one side or the other, at which time the spring rapidly expands under the energy stored up by compression 4and snaps the oscillatory member to one side or the other of its central position, thereby causing a quick engagement or disengagement of the switch blade with the stationary contacts. It will be recalled that the oscillatory movements o t the U-shaped element 30 are limited by its contact with the opposed walls 23 of the cavity 8, while the rocking movements of the lever 43 are limited by engagement of the extensions 50 with the under face of the bridge piece' 47 thereby keeping thecom-A pression spring confined between these two levers at all times. K

It is, of course, apparent that a two blade switch can be provided by simply extending the extension 33 and mounting a second switch blade 34 thereon to cooperate with a second pair of stationary contacts.

From the foregoing description, it will be obvious that the switch can be assembled rapidly and without exercising precautions to get the parts in their proper relative positions with the minimum number of fasten- .ing devices, due to the cooperation of the various parts of the actuating mechanism with the insulating base 7.

lVe claim:

1. A snap switch comprising a support, a pair of contacts, an actuating mechanism including anvoscillatory U-shaped element hav- Y pair of contacts, an actuator mechanism inl cluding an oscillatory element, an insulator mounted on an end portion of said element, a metallic bushing in said insulator, and a switch blade mounted upon said insulator.

3. A snap switch comprising a support of insulating material, a pair of contacts, a substantially U-sliaped oscillatory member having laterally extending arms ulcrumed in said support, a movable contact blade detachably connected to one of said arms, spring and lever means for actuating said oscillatory member, and said movable contact blade being insulated trom said spring and lever means.

4. A snap switch comprising a support of insulating material, a pair of contacts, a substantially U-shaped oscillatory member having laterally extending arms ulcrumed in said support, a movable contact'blade carried by said oscillatory member, spring and lever means for actuating said oscillatory member, said movable Contact blade being insulated from said spring and lever means and having a floating mounting on said osicillatory member.

5,. A snap switch comprising a support of insulating material, a pair of contacts, a substantially U-shaped oscillatory member hav ing laterally extending arms fulcrumed inl said support, a lmovable contact blade tory element having iiat extensions forming thin edged trunnions seated in said bearings,

and a switch blade detachably connected to one of said trunnions.

7 A snap switch comprising' an insulator block having bearings on its inner walls, a pair of contacts, an actuator mechanism including a substantially U-shaped flat oscillatory element having at its upper end laterally extending trunnions extending into said bearings and supported by their edges therein, 'and a switch lblade detachably connected to one ofsaid trunnions.

8. A snap switch comprising van insulator .block having bearings on its inner walls, a

pair of contacts, an actuator mechanism 1n---.

cluding a substantially U-shaped iiat oscillatory element having at its upper end laterally extending trunnions extending into said bearings and supported by their edges therein, and a switch blade detachably connected to one of said trunnions.

9. A snap switch comprising an insulator block having bearings on its inner walls, a pair of contacts, an actuator mechanism including a substantially U-shaped fiat oscillatory element having at its upper end laterally extending trunnions extending into said bearings and supported by their edges therein, and a switch blade carried on one of said A trunnions between its end and an arm of said U-shaped element. y

l0. A snap switch comprising an insulated support having V-shaped seats in opposite walls thereof, a pair of stationary contacts, an actuator mechanism including an oscillatory element having substantiallyl knife edge extensions fulcrumed in said seats, and a switch blade detachably connected to one of said extensions.

11. A snap switch comprising an insulated support having open ended grooves in opposite walls thereof to provide seats, a pair of contacts, an actuator mechanism including an oscillatory element and a spring, said oscillatory element being fulcrumed in said seats, said spring tending to retain said oscillatory element engaged with said seats, a switch blade detachably connected to said element, and said groovesfop'ening in the direction of said actuator mechanism.

12. A snap switchV comprising a support of insulating material having seats in opposed walls thereof, a pair of contacts, an

'ment walls, a pair of contacts, an actuator mechanism including a U-shaped oscillatory switch carrying element vhaving trunnions mounted in the walls of said insulator support and adapted to abut said abutment Walls to limit the oscillatory movement of said element, and a contact blade detachably connected to one of said trunnions.

. 14. A snap switch comprising a support of insulating material having a pair of parallel grooves, an actuator mechanism mounted in said supportand including a bridge having a depending lange adapted vto be received in said grooves, and means for securing said bridge to said support.

15. A snap switch comprising a support of insulating material having an actuator mechanism receiving recess therein and a pair of grooves extendmg therefrom, a bridge having a depending flange to A.be received in said grooves, an actuator mechanism mounted in said recess and including an oscillatory element fulcrumcd directl)T in opposed walls or' said recess, a rocker lever mounted in said bridge, a compression spring interposed between said lever and element, and means for securing said bridge to said support.

16. A snap switch comprising a support of insulating material having an actuator mechanism receiving recess therein, opposed walls of said recess having aligned slots, a bridge sccuned to said support, and a toggle switch mechanism mounted in said recess and including a rocker lever having extensions operating. in Ysaid slots and adapted to abut-said bridge. y

17. A snap switch comprising a support, a pair of contacts, an actuating mechanism including an oscillatory element, a non-circular insulator* loosely mounted upon said element, and a contact blade having an opening receiving said insulator for mounting the same.

18. A snap switch comprising an insulating support having opposed seats in the Walls thereof, a pair of contacts, an actuator mechanism including a U-shapcd oscillatory element fulcrumed in said seats, and a switch blade detachably connected to an end portion of said element.

19.15A snap switch comprising an insulating support, a-pair of contacts, anactuator element having laterally extending trunnions fulcrumed for support, said element being of insulating material, and a switch blade carried by one of said trunnions for cooperation with said contacts.

20. A snap switch comprising an insulating support having seats in opposite walls 

